Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-09
TWO CENTS.

diture OF s47 o44 A. or about 81 50 per foot This
again does not represent the actual cost OF laying
the mains, and the cost per foot is excessive Tor
the very reason that the cost per foot on the fol-
lowing year Is too small that Is large amount os
pipe purchased during the year was left over and
laid during the succeeding year. The total amount
OF pipe laid during the two years was - llS feet
at a total expense Of s5S, ,o9L32, or 81 cents per
foot run.
1t is proper, also to state that during the year
1SS6-'S7 there was some pipe laid which was pur-
chased and paid for two years before
In this connection II is also proper to saw that
Careful data kept or the cost OF mains during the
past year show that the average cost per foot Of
6inch pipe was about cents. and OF l2-inch pipe
about g.. 2..22 including materials and labor at the
current prices for the year
It is further charged that sst Is evident tha.
water rents have been taken TO make up the der-
cienctes in funds that have been stolen or misap-
propriated for the benent OF other funds" There
Is not nor can there be the shadow OF truth In or
foundation for this reckless and slanderous as
SertfOn.
Every dollar OF revenue OF the water department
Is collected by the collector OF taxes, and by him
deposited I'm the United States Treasury, from
whence IL Is drawn out and diSbursed by the au-
ditor in conformity with the appropriations made
by Congress. Not dollar OF collections or disburse-
ments is handled by any official OF the water de-
partment. Every expenditure has first 10 be ap-
proved by the Commissioners and every voucher
therefore has to pass the scrutiny not only OF the
District officials, but OF the Auditor and the
Comptroller OF the United States Treasury.
In regard to the defalcation TO which 20 much
reference has been made, l have only TO say that
IL is matter well known 10 all old officials OF the
department ana DStflct, As Wen as other cftiZenS
that when Timothy Lubey twho succeeded j. H.
Crane as registrar, collector and disbursing Officer
or the water departmen0 died in 1887 it was dis
covered that considerable sum. for which
he was responsible. could not be ac
counted for, resulting In shortage o
s2O.2Sl.O6. Examinations TO determine the exact
amount OF the defalcation were undertaken but
the collection OF the amount was not pursued fo
the reason that the man was without estate ant
his bonds worthless. The matter Was one OF pub
| lie record and knowledge at the time, and ther,
was no effort OF any kind TO conceal the facts IN
the case. The report OF the investigation is on l
In the District records.
know OF no reason why the present officials o
the department and District should desire to con
ceal the facts concerning this transaction an,
other, whether OF the present or ancient date. L
Was probably the existence OF this and other irreg
ular.ueS and the loose methods OF doing business
and absence OF system that encouraged defalca
.ions and rendered change in the form of gov
ernment necessary.
There are doubtless many men In the Distric
who, for the Opport unitleS it would give them de
when In one single individual were comprised tn
functions or booK-keepcr, collector, and dlSburSl
officer OF the water department. With regard I
the assertion that ''aS the number OF water taker
Increases the receipts grow less, IL Is only neceS
safy TO say that the water rents have almost dou
| bled in ten years and trebled In fifteen years.
| have the honor 10 state further that work is 4
progress, and Is being finished AS rapidly as tn
current business or the Office VIII permit in pre-
| pairing full and comprehensive exhibit OF tn
financial affairs or the water department for TIL
past fifteen years. This Will be ready for my an
| nual report TO you.
NIT them TO you prior to the submission OF the fu
| exhibit, because l believe enough Is containe
herein to dSprOve the charges" and ALLEGATIONS
OF fraud and stealing, and set the public mind a
| rest.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L IL. w. SYMONS, CAPTAIN OF EQEile6rS